In the weeks following my father’s death, I’ve experienced great support from people sharing their own stories. Some are new friends, others are old connections resurfacing, and I’m deeply grateful for each of them. These conversations have often been healing for everyone involved.
However, I’ve noticed something important: As I’ve repeated my story of loss, I began crafting it into a neat, controlled narrative – a “safe” version that my mind created for protection. While this version was true at some point, it became a rigid box that started to feel suffocating. My anxiety grew with each retelling, and I could feel myself becoming less present, less authentic.
I discussed this with my friend Vegar. He shared how he felt he was doing a disservice to his late wife’s memory by packaging his grief into a sanitized story. I don’t need to bare my soul every time someone asks about my dad, there’s value in being genuine about where I am in my grief journey.
This experience has also deepend my belief that choosing what feels “safe” causes more pain.
To work with this I have been sitting with an openness to what’s just there. Remaining wide open has been a revealing gift, and what’s coming up is unknown, and I’ll do my best keep it that way. That’s all for today. ❤️
Hey everyone,
It’s been a heavy week. We’ve lost people in our community—amazing people we’ve ridden with, looked up to, shared time with and it hits deep. I want to send some love out there.
In my own grief, especially after losing my dad last November, the first feeling was shock. It didn’t feel real. It felt final. And yet, through the pain, the what-ifs, and all the emotions that came rushing in, there’s also been this quiet current of gratitude. Slowly growing. Gratitude for the love and times shared, and even for the parts we didn’t. The broader context of how our loved ones showed up for life mattered. For the memories. For the things left unsaid. Gratitude for the people who showed up for me and my family in their ways. Many expressions of love, words, hugs, looks of not knowing what to do to help, they all matter.
I made time to slow down and reflect, which isn’t easy when we’re all just trying to keep up with life, but do it if you can muster it.
I’ve also learned that grief doesn’t move in a straight line. There’s no right way through it. But I found the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—gave me a little framework. A map, not a prescription, but some language and perspective. If you’re feeling lost in your own grief, maybe those stages can help. Or maybe you’ll find your own rhythm. That’s okay too.
Mostly, I just want to say: if you’re hurting right now, you’re not alone. You don’t need to have it figured out. There’s no answer. Be messy and be real. Stay close to the people who matter. Push past fear and let its be fresh for you, for others, with others, don’t rush past the ache. It’s part of the expression of love.
I don’t think that love is ever really lost. It becomes a new expression when we can’t be with someone in the physical realm. A thread we can follow. A legacy to be continued in our own ways, a source of inspiration.
With love and respect 🙏🏼♥️
“Thirteen years ago, it took me eight tries. This time, I landed it in two—but I didn’t like my style, so I went back up and got knocked out on the third.
It was easier this time. The new boards are so much better. Last time, all I had was a soft park board, Joe Carlino showed me the set, and the snow was melting—so it was go time. This time, I came prepared with a Ride Super Pig—a landing beast.
When word got out that I’d hit it again, people asked why I went back. Why not? We were already headed there, and it was snowing. I’m lucky Meyer gets me and was down, because that set had lived in my head for years. I knew I could do it at 37, but I had to know if I still had it in me at 50. And… this is fun for me.
I’m grateful to everyone who showed up to help. These things only go down with a crew behind them, and I appreciate every one of you.” - @17is
Mikey LeBlanc legendary ollie from @videograss Search Party AND Bon Voyage
Photo by @andrewjamespeters from issue 4.1 of the magazine.
You can watch the whole video and read along from the VG article all on the Slush site now. Check it out.
Video by @justinmeyer__@adam_ruzzamenti and @hidefjeff
“Love is when you let someone, or something be exactly what they are, and you don’t try to change them. You offer support when needed, and let them learn and hopefully soar, without needing something in return. That’s what Ride has been for me over the past 30 years.
And just to be clear, I’m not going anywhere. The support keeps coming and I’m proud to be part of the Ride team ongoing.
For more than 30 years Ride’s given me support. I got paid at the peak. I got opportunities. But more than anything, they let me be me. 100% trust/no pressure. Never asked to be anything other than what I was into. Supported my projects, from video parts to sponsoring movies like loveHATE and BB that I made with kidsKNOW. The realest part has been the freedom they give me. (FYI - that only works for 30 years if you have a vision, a work ethic, and pop off. :))Yes, they’ve asked me to hop on a trip/shop tour here and there, which honestly, is rad. Meeting the people who actually hold up this whole thing. The shop owners, the kids behind the counter, the ones who show up to events and tell you they’ve been watching your video parts since forever. Those people kept, and keep the dreams for me and others alive, and I hope we keep theirs going too.
To the lovers of snowboarding, thank you.
(Continued in Comments)
“Time doesn’t take you out — fear does. Just keep moving, and surround yourself with people who support mutual progression. Sometimes you gotta re-up your crew too. That’s my move.”
– Mikey LeBlanc”
Mikey Leblanc Big Bear set 14 years apart:
1 📸: @godsnachos (2010) 37 years old
2 📸: @andrewjamespeters (2024) 51 years old
Board launch season chaos has us reminiscing — simpler times with Mikey, Spencer, and a toboggan. Watch Assisted Living to be inspired for winter.
Photos as seen in October 2022 Issue 2.1, by @oligagnonphoto & @bobplumbphoto 📸
🎬: @justinmeyer__
Meet 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁, plus a handful of Big Mike’s other personas in 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰? and 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, now playing back-to-back on 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗧𝗩. Streaming 24/7 and always 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘.
Link in bio
Mike LeBlanc ~ @17is
Optimistic? / 2007 / @absinthefilms
🎥 @shanecharlebois
🎶 @justinbennee
Feeling lucky?
Leave a comment on this post with your current binding situation and why you need an upgrade. Mikey will choose winner at the end of the day☘️
“Blitz” film is live now on YouTube.
I was lucky enough to get invited out a few days with the crew and had a great time. This shots at the best place on earth @brightonresort shhhhh. Thanks Blake for the shovel assist for some speed.
Blitz features some of my favorite riders and people @shoeburt and @blakepaul my riding partner @mikebogs@kenned1deck , @austinbsmith and @colenavin absolutely ripping the world apart.
Directed by @coltonfeldman 🔥
Film by @thenorthface_snow
We have a saying in zen practice, “time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken, awaken, take heed, do not squander your life.”
This sounds like another thing to just hear and pass by. But it’s really an urgent message.
It’s not that anything is more important than anything else. No one knows what’s important to you except you.
What is important is what you feel is what you want to do. What you love to do. Who you love. Who do you want to be around? What do you want to accomplish? How do you wanna show up? Really… in the heart?
Today I have the understanding that I will no longer have the opportunity to see my dad in person. I’ll be able to talk to him in my imagination, or perhaps it’s more than that. No one knows what’s real on that subject, but he died last Monday so I will never be able to physically touch him again. I’ll no longer marvel at his strong hands that have done so much and helped so many in the flesh.
I’m motivated to follow his footsteps but on my own way. I’ve always had an interest in the underdog. So did my dad. I’ve always had an interest in helping women. So did my dad. I learned a few great things from him in my time. I tend to have a good eye for people that are exceptional and I sometimes chase them down, and I try to help cure their future within them if they want. I want to continue this because I love it. I learned this from my dad.
I am endlessly grateful to my father for all he gave me. He showed up. He was my biggest fan. He loved me. And even when he was nearing his death, he said “hey, don’t hang around, go live your life do what you love.” He said this in full clarity about a year ago , he was slowly slipping away into dementia. (Cont in comments)
